Gang Member Gets 70 Years In 2009 Shooting Death Of DePaul Student
CHICAGO (STMW) -- A self-admitted Maniac Latin Disciple was sentenced to 70 years in prison Thursday for murdering DePaul University student Francisco "Frankie" Valencia outside a Halloween party nearly two years ago.
Berly Valladares' sister told Cook County Judge Matthew Coghlan that her brother was a "good" man who helped her emotionally and financially.
"I'm sure he's a good brother and father to those close to him but I also think he's a danger to society," Coghlan said before sentencing Valladares to 55 years in prison for Valencia's murder, and 15 years for shooting Valencia's girlfriend Daisy Camacho.
Valladares had handed a TEC-9 semiautomatic to Narcisco Gatica, who allegedly opened fire at the party in the 1700 block of North Rockwell in 2009. The gang members were apparently angry because they were asked to leave the gathering earlier that night.
"I have been angry, hurt, sad and guilty," Camacho said in court Thursday, adding that her wounds paled in comparison to the anguish Valencia's mother, Joy McCormack, must feel at losing such a promising son.
McCormack and her younger son, Victor, called Valencia, who was a 21-year-old political science major when he was slain, their "superman," and McCormack called Valladares a "monster."
Gatica is awaiting trial.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2010. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
